Grace B. Cohen

Hispanic Studies & Environmental Humanities

I am grateful for these past four years with the Hispanic Studies department. Every class I have taken has been a window into another world of historical events, traditions, and cultures. Thank you to all of my professors for their dedication and expertise; I learned innumerable valuable concepts, including medical interpretation practices, Afro-Spanish history, Spanish history, and environmental cultures, to name a few. One of my favorite memories outside class was volunteering at a local elementary school with Professor Brix and a group of peers (fall 2024). We visited different classes and read short stories in Spanish and English; it was an excellent way to engage with the community and share our knowledge with other age groups. Additionally, this past fall, I worked for the Spanish gastronomy company La Tienda and organized a department-wide event called "Spanish Food and Your Future with Hispanic Studies." Professors, students, and alumni attended the event to learn more about both La Tienda and facets of the Hispanic Studies department, such as academic highlights, la Casa Hispánica, and study abroad opportunities. Another key highlight of my college career was studying abroad: I studied in Spain (fall 2021) and Costa Rica (spring 2024). These experiences were crucial to my Spanish language acquisition and global competency skills. Likewise, the connections I made abroad are incredibly invaluable to my college experience. Looking ahead, I am excited to join the Peace Corps this upcoming fall! I will serve in the environmental sector in Paraguay for the next two years.